Custard apple is known as the aristocrat of fruits and boasts of several health & nutritional benefits. Find out about the nutrition value of custard apple.

Benefits Of Custard Apple

Custard Apple is a sweet fruit, which is widely grown across the world. The fruit is compound in nature, measuring 3¼ to 6½ inches (8-16 cm) in diameter. The shape of the fruit may be symmetrically heart-shaped, lopsided, or irregular. It may be nearly round or oblate, with a deep or shallow depression at the base. The skin or covering of custard apple is thin but tough, which is usually yellow or brownish when ripe. Beneath the thin covering, a thick, cream-white layer of custard-like, granular flesh is present, which surrounds seeds. Though a native of Caribbean and Central America, custard apples trees are cultivated in many tropical countries and other parts of the world, such as, Southeast Asia, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, and Africa. The plant can be easily grown in these countries. It is also less-famously known as wild-sweetsop, bullock's-heart, or ox-heart. The flavor of the fruit is sweet and delicious. Besides, custard apple has many health and nutritional benefits. It promotes digestion and is used as a cure for vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery and vertigo. Given below is the nutrition value of the fruit.
 
 
Nutritional Value Of Custard Apple
 

Nutrients
Content per 100g
Energy
76 to 96 Kcal
Carbohydrates
23.71 g
Protein
1 to 4.3 g
Total Fat
0.6 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Dietary Fiber
1 to 3.2 g
Natural Sugar
14 to 18 g
Total Acidity
0.4 mg
Vitamins
Niacin (B3)
0.5 to 0.8 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
0.08 to 0.1 mg
Thiamin (B1)
0.05 to 0.08 mg
Vitamin A
1 mg.
Vitamin C
22 to 43 mg
Electrolytes
Sodium
4 to 14 mg
Potassium
250 to 578 mg  
Calcium
17 to 22 mg
Minerals
Calcium
17 to 22 mg  
Copper
2.4mg
Iron
0.7mg
Magnesium
32 to 88 mg
Phosphorus
26 mg
Zinc
0.2 to 2.7mg

 
Health & Nutrition Benefits Of Eating Custard Apple
  • Custard apple is a storehouse of Vitamin C, which is an anti-oxidant and helps in neutralizing free radicals.
  • The Vitamin A present in the fruit, is good for hair, eyes and healthy skin.
  • Custard apple contains magnesium, which plays a vital role in relaxing muscles and protecting the heart against diseases.
  • Potassium and Vitamin B6 are also present in the custard apple.
  • It is a rich source of dietary fiber, which helps in digestion.
  • As it contains low fat levels, it is good for maintaining optimum health.
  • The paste of the flesh of the fruit can be used for the local application of ulcers, inflammations, burns and boils.
  • The fruit, in its unripe form, can be dried, crushed and used for treating diarrhea and dysentery.
  • Custard apple serves as an expectorant, stimulant, coolant and hematinic and is even useful in treating anemia.
  • The seeds of the fruit have insecticidal and abortifacient properties.
  • The fruit is high in magnesium, which equalizes the water balance in our body and helps remove acids from the joints. This in turn, reduces symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis.
  • The bark of the custard apple tree, which contains astringents and tannins, is used in preparing herbal medicines. Its leaves are known to treat cancer and tumors, while the bark is capable of relieving toothaches and gum pain.
  • For a person whose blood pressure fluctuates a lot, regular consumption of custard apple can help keep it under control.
  • People who are underweight should have custard apple as the sugar fibers in them make the making metabolic system more efficient which increases the appetite. So, eating custard apples is an ideal way to put on a few kilos.
  • The presence of copper helps in the formation of hemoglobin.
  • Dried and powdered custard apples can be applied on the scalp to treat lice.
  • Custard apples are rich in iron, calcium, niacin and are a source of high calories.

Buying & Storing Tips

  • Look for custard apples which are firm (not hard) and are free of blemishes. Also, they should not have any press marks.
  • The color of the fruit should be brownish green or brown but not black.
  • Avoid buying smaller custard apples as they are generally unripe. Instead of buying them in packets, buy single fruits for maximum freshness.
  • It is recommended to consume the custard apples soon after buying. In case you store them, place them in a plastic bag/zip lock bag and keep them in the refrigerator. They can stay fresh for around 2-3 days.
  • If some of the fruits are not yet ripe, to quicken the ripening process, place them in a brown paper bag, along with one or two bananas. This way, the custard apple stays fresh longer.
  Cooking Tips
  • One can earn all the nutritional benefits of custard apple by having the fruit when it’s ripe.
  • Custard apple milk shake is also another option and tastes good.
  • Chunks of custard apple can be included in a fruit salad.
  • Puree, made from the pulp of custard apple, is used for flavoring mousses, fruit soufflés and compotes etc.
  • The fruit can be used to make syrups, squashes, jams and marmalades along with some other fruits.
  • Custard apple pies, ice creams and cakes are very common confectionaries. The recipes are simple and can be made at home.
  • Another way of relishing the fruit is to make a cream out of it. It is very easy and doesn’t require much effort.

How to Cite

More from iloveindia.com